Fire Crews Extinguish Deliberately Lit Fires At Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters were kept busy with several grass and bushfires in the Hunter over the weekend as temperatures soared into the mid 30's.

Crews battled three separate fires at Bennetts Green, Windale and Gateshead early on Saturday morning.

They are being treated as suspicious.

Around 25 firefighters were called to a large bushfire at Fletcher on Sunday afternoon.

Crews were sent to Weller Street just before 2.30pm and had the blaze under control before the wind whipped up the flames again.

The fire burnt through 1000 hectares before being contained - no homes were under threat.

A Total Fire Ban is in force again until midnight on Monday with the fire danger rated very high.

Police Search For Firebug At North Rothbury

BY IAN CROUCH

Central Hunter Police and detectives from Strike Force Tronto are searching for a firebug who's been setting fire to bush around North Rothbury in recent days.

Patrolling police noticed two small fires on the side of Wine Country Drive between Rothbury Road and Reid Street yesterday afternoon.

Crews from Fire & Rescue NSW and the RFS quickly contained the blazes.

Chief Inspector David Robertson says it's the 3rd time firefighters have been called to the area since last week.

"The Rural Fire Service informed police this is the third time since Friday wood fires have been deliberately lit in that immediate area, so police are appealing for public assistance. If any one notices any suspicious behaviour in that area in relation to deliberately lit fires to please contact Crime Stoppers," he said.